Effingham County Sheriff's Office seeking donations for new K9s

They have a lot of hair, four legs and the Effingham
County Sheriff's Office is in need of two of them.

The sheriff's office is asking for community donations
to help pay for the cost of two new k9 dogs and everything that comes with it.

It is very rare for the sheriff to ask the community
for something like bit, but in this case, Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said the
sheriff's office has always don't things this way. As long as he has been
there, community donations have always paid for the K9s and said it is a need
that can't be ignored.

"Not having one pretty much cripples you because you
have to wait for someone from another county," McDuffie said.

It's a plea from the sheriff's office, one that helps
keep citizens safe. McDuffie said the sheriff's office needs to get two new K9s
and all the equipment that comes with it, including the training and the cages
in the new cars. The price tag? About $35,000.

"We probably used the dog every single day of the week
when we had two or three of them," said McDuffie.

But they don't have two or three anymore. They barely
have one. K9 A.J. retired in December, and K9 Duke is the only one left, and he
is not in perfect health.

"His back legs are starting to fail him," said Cpl.
Jamie Thompson.

K9 Duke is older with multiple surgeries and torn
tendons. He cannot perform like he used to. This is where the public comes in.

"Ever since I have been here, all of our K9s have been
bought with outside money," McDuffie said. "No tax dollars, they have all been
donations."

Several people have asked why the county commission
won't give the sheriff's office the money.

"We have never asked the commission for money to buy K9s,"
McDuffie said.

When asked about the money the sheriff's office gets
from speeding tickets and drug busts, McDuffie answered, "Speeding tickets,
that goes to the general fund of the county. That is budget money there. The
drug money, we do not get nearly enough money to purchase these dogs with that."

Cpl. Thompson is in charge of the K9 unit.

"The [dogs] we have had in the past are dual purpose,
so they are trained in apprehension, handler protection and tracking," Thompson
said.

Thompson promises these new dogs will do the same.

"It helps us out, and helps the community," said
McDuffie.

McDuffie said the biggest need for these dogs is
finding drugs. K9s can do that much faster than several deputies put together.

If you would like to donate, you can either visit the
sheriff's office or mail your donation to 130 W. 1st Street,
Springfield, GA 31329, or you can even call 912.754.3449 and a deputy will come by and pick
it up.